Department for Transport

Aviation

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for (a) the UK aviation sector and (b) his Department's aviation policies of the outcome of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill: It is too early to assess the impacts of the outcome of the EU Referendum for any particular sector, including aviation. The Prime Minister has made it clear that at present we remain a member of the EU with all the rights and obligations this entails and that it will be for the next administration to determine the terms of our exit from the European Union.

Air Traffic Control

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on implementation of the Single European Sky programme.

Mr Robert Goodwill: It is too early to assess the impacts of the outcome of the EU Referendum for any particular sector, including aviation. The Prime Minister has made it clear that at present we remain a member of the EU with all the rights and obligations this entails and that it will be for the next administration to determine the terms of our exit from the European Union.

Ports: North of England

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has received a copy of the report by IPPR North, entitled Gateways to the northern powerhouse: A northern ports strategy, published in June 2016.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department has received a copy of the report, and was also involved in an earlier IPPR North stakeholder consultation workshop. The report is a potentially useful contribution to the evidence base for the Northern Powerhouse, as well as the Government’s and Transport for the North’s joint Northern Transport Strategy.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Council Housing: Sales

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will place in the Library a copy of his recent request to local authorities for information about those bodies' housing stock to help determine the sale of higher value council homes.

Brandon Lewis: I have today placed a copy of the request to local authorities about their housing stock in the Library of the House.

Housing: Construction

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will set out the (a) number, (b) nature, (c) date of and (d) grounds of decisions Ministers in his Department have made to disagree with local authority proposals for housing development in their areas since 2010.

Brandon Lewis: The Planning Inspectorate published statistics can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/planning-inspectorate-statisticsand covers volumes relating to the questions raised.

Affordable Housing: Ipswich

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, under which legislative provisions he took his decision on Ipswich Council's planning application for the development of the Ravenswood affordable housing scheme.

Brandon Lewis: The Secretary of State called in this application for his own determination under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. His decision letter, which can be found on the Department’s website, stated that in deciding the application, the Secretary of State has had regard to section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 which requires that proposals be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.A copy of the decision letter is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/called-in-decision-areas-u-v-and-w-ravenswood-nacton-road-ipswich-suffolk-ref-3004099-13-june-2016

Non-domestic Rates: Copeland

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of 8 February 2016 to Questions 25834 and 25835, whether a final decision has been made on the retention of business rates generated by new nuclear development in Copeland by the billing authority.

Mr Marcus Jones: Decisions on the details of the 100% business rates retention scheme have yet to be taken. We are currently working with the Local Government Association, local authorities and business interests on the design of the scheme and will set out our proposals for consultation in due course.

Council Housing: Sales

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the ongoing costs of keeping local authority data on the sale of higher value council homes up-to-date.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the cost of processing and validating local authority data on the sale of higher value council homes.

Brandon Lewis: To cover the cost of providing the data about housing stock, we made a one-off grant payment of £5,000 to each local authority with a Housing Revenue Account. No estimate has been made about the ongoing cost of keeping this data up-to-date. The processing and validating of the data is being carried out by departmental officials as part of policy development.

Housing: Prices

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on house prices.

Brandon Lewis: It is too early to tell. We are keeping markets under review and are actively engaged with house builders. DCLG Ministers met with industry leaders last week to listen to their views in light of the EU referendum result.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: EU Law

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what EU directives related to his Department's responsibilities are awaiting transposition into UK law.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not have any EU directives awaiting transposition into UK law.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: EU Action

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which EU (a) legislative and (b) other proposals his Department is leading negotiations on for the Government in the Council of the EU.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office leads on cross-cutting EU issues, including EU competence, supported by other government departments as appropriate. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office submits Explanatory Memoranda to Parliament on documents where we are the lead department. These can be found here: http://europeanmemoranda.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/.The European Commission makes new proposals based on the Strategic Agenda set out by Heads of Government in the European Council. The annual Commission Work Programme sets out the priorities of the Commission for the coming year. Below are links to the current Commission Work Programme (CWP) for 2016, as well as 2014 and 2015.https://ec.europa.eu/priorities/work-programme-2016_enhttp://ec.europa.eu/atwork/pdf/cwp_2015_new_initiatives_en.pdf;http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/pdf/forward_programming_2014.pdf;Decisions on the timing of proposals for EU Laws and Directives are solely the responsibility of the European Commission. Details of current legislation under negotiation can be found at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/home/home.do?lang=en.

EU Staff

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with trade union officials on the job security of UK citizens employed by EU institutions.

Mr David Lidington: We are still a member of the European Union and there will be no immediate changes in the circumstances of British citizens elsewhere in the EU. EU institutions have communicated directly to British staff that they continue to have the same rights as other officials of the European Union.

EU Withdrawal: British Nationals Abroad

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the rights of UK citizens living and working elsewhere in the EU to continue to benefit from freedom of movement in the EU.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and I have been holding, and are continuing to hold, discussions with our EU counterparts since the referendum. As the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) said in his statement to the House on 27 June, there will be no immediate changes in the circumstances of UK citizens living in the EU. Future arrangements will be something for the next Prime Minister and their Cabinet to decide in the context of negotiations with EU Partners.

UK Membership of EU: Referendums

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received from his European counterparts since the outcome of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and I have been holding, and will continue to hold, discussions with our EU counterparts since the referendum and the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) attended the European Council meeting on 29 June to explain the decision the British people have taken.

Capital Punishment

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will produce a new Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty.

Mr David Lidington: I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 14 January in response to Written Question 21761 of 11 January from the Hon. Member for Birmingham Hall Green (Mr Godsiff ).

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to hire and train trade negotiators.

Mr Hugo Swire: I refer my honourable friend to my answer of 30 June given in response to PQ 41301.

Iraq: Islamic State

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports his Department has received on the progress of Iraqi forces in recapturing Fallujah.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We welcome the progress made by the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in recapturing Fallujah. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi declared the city fully liberated on 26 June. Iraqi forces continue to clear pockets of Daesh resistance along with the thousands of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that have been placed by Daesh in schools, mosques, hospital and homes. The United Kingdom is providing support to the ISF through RAF air strikes, military assistance and training, alongside our coalition partners.The UK is also working with the Coalition to support the Government of Iraq in developing plans to stabilise areas, like Fallujah, which have been liberated from Daesh, and by working to provide the governance, services and security necessary to enable the safe return of Iraqis to their homes, including the management of explosive hazards such as IEDs.

Gibraltar: Spain

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking in response to the outcome of the EU referendum to maintain the existing border between Gibraltar and Spain.

Mr David Lidington: The outcome of the EU referendum does not affect the United Kingdom’s steadfast and longstanding commitment to Gibraltar. We will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their wishes. Furthermore, the UK will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. Ensuring a well functioning Gibraltar-Spain border is one of our top priorities. This has not changed. It will take some time for our future relationship with the EU to become clear, but there will be no immediate changes in Gibraltar’s circumstances. There will be no initial changes in the way people can travel or the way services can be sold. Over 12,000 people will still be able to commute across the Gibraltar-Spain border every day, including a significant number of Spanish workers. As we move forward in negotiating the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, we will work in partnership with the Government of Gibraltar to ensure Gibraltar’s interests are protected and advanced.

USA: Foreign Relations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to meet his US counterparts to discuss the effect of the recent EU referendum on UK-US relations.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), met Secretary of State John Kerry in London on 27 June. Both Governments agree that an unbreakable bond exists between the US and the UK; that Britain's global role remains undiminished, and that the Special Relationship remains a strong and crucial relationship.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Iron and Steel: China

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he plans to take to prevent the dumping of Chinese steel in the event of the UK leaving the EU.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 04 July 2016



The UK remains a full member of the EU until we formally exit and all rights and obligations under the EU, including trade defence measures, still apply. We will continue to support the EU’s trade agenda, including tackling unfair trade and continue to do all we can to support a sustainable UK steel industry. The Cabinet Office has established a new unit to oversee arrangements for the UK’s exit from the EU and they will consider issues such as the UK establishing its own trade defence measures on exit from the EU.

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the implications of the EU referendum result for his plans to implement the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 04 July 2016



While the UK is still a member of the EU, all rights and obligations will apply. We continue to support the EU’s trade agenda and the UK will participate constructively in EU decision making on trade issues including proceeding with implementation of the agreed EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

Iron and Steel: Hartlepool

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking in response to the result of the EU referendum to ensure that investment in the Hartlepool steel pipe mills is made.

Anna Soubry: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for International Development

Burundi: Overseas Aid

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, under what circumstances it is her Department's policy to enact its action plan for Burundi.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when her Department plans to deploy additional funding and resources to Burundi.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, to which UN agencies staff of her Department have been seconded in connection with her Department's work in Burundi.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the level of seniority is of staff of her Department who have been seconded to UN agencies in connection with her Department's work in Burundi.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many staff of her Department have been seconded to UN agencies in connection with her Department's work in Burundi.

Mr Nick Hurd: DFID has provided technical support, in the form of funding of experts, to support UN agencies working on the crisis in Burundi. This currently includes an Information Manager in OCHA to strengthen humanitarian coordination, and an Emergency Coordinator at the International Office of Migration (IOM). Throughout 2015 and 2016, DFID has funded a total of 7 experts in the UN. Additionally, HMG is deploying a Burundi Coordinator to the FCO’s Liaison Office in Bujumbura to enhance the UK’s presence and representation in Burundi, and to manage Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) funding.Our current assessment is of a political and civil crisis rather than humanitarian and the new Burundi Coordinator will continue to assess. We have set aside contingency funding in Burundi and the region should humanitarian indicators deteriorate and further funding be required.DFID has committed £36.15 million to support Burundian refugees in the region. These resources have been channelled through UN agencies, such as UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP, and to international NGOs. DFID is also providing £3 million support for preparedness and early response within Burundi.

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will increase the proportion of the UK aid budget spent on water and sanitation.

Mr Nick Hurd: The UK has increased its bilateral spend on water and sanitation year on year since 2004, from £31.2million (2004/05) to £180.8million (2014/15). The Department for International Development does not allocate a set proportion of the aid budget to water and sanitation. The UK Aid strategy commits the UK to helping at least 60 million people get access to water and sanitation by 2020. We will allocate the resources required to achieve this to the relevant programmes.

Department for Education

Languages: Education

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps her Department has taken to encourage students at Key Stage 3 to take up modern foreign languages.

Nick Gibb: The Government expects all pupils in secondary education to be taught a broad and balanced curriculum, and that includes the opportunity to study a foreign language at Key Stage 3 and 4. In 2010, only 43% of pupils were studying a GCSE in a foreign language, down from 76% in 2000. Since the Government introduced the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), the proportion of the cohort in state schools that are entered for a modern foreign language GCSE increased by 20% between 2011 and 2015. Our ambition is that 90 per cent of pupils in mainstream secondary schools will enter GCSEs in the EBacc subjects, including a foreign language.

ICT: Education

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that computer coding is taught to children from an early stage in their education.

Nick Gibb: Demand for high-level skills in computing will only grow in the years ahead and will be crucial to supporting a successful economy. It is essential that we have a generation of pupils who have the knowledge and understanding they need to become active creators of digital technology, and not just passive consumers of it. We want them to have a deeper understanding of how digital technologies work and be able to write computer programs.Since 2014, computing has been part of the National Curriculum at all four key stages. This replaced the outdated Information and Communications Technology (ICT) programme of study. The computing curriculum focuses on teaching children how computers work, the basics of programming, and encourages them to design computer programs to address real world problems. This includes introducing coding to primary pupils. At primary school, pupils are being taught what algorithms are, how to design and write programs to accomplish specific goals using sequencing, selection and repetition and how to apply logical reasoning to detect and correct errors.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the level of funding for secondary schools per pupil was in each of the last six years; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Funding for local authorities is primarily allocated through the Dedicated Schools Grant, as a single guaranteed (schools block/early year block) unit of funding per pupil. Since the introduction of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) in 2006-07, figures are no longer available to be shown split by phase of education. The following links show the DSG guaranteed unit funding (GUF) and schools block unit funding (SBUF) figures in cash terms for England and Coventry LA from 2011-12 to 2016-17.2016-17: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/512095/DSG_2016-17_allocations_spreadsheet_March_2016_final.xls (“2016-17 DSG allocations” tab Row 5, 40 Column E)2015-16: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/508865/DSG_2015-16_allocations_spreadsheet_v11.xls (“2015-16 DSG allocations” tab Row 5, 40 Column E)2014-15: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/427902/DSG_allocations_spreadsheet_2014_to_2015_May_final.xls (“2014-15 DSG allocations” tab Row 6, 41 Column G)2013-14: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/292339/DSG_2013-14_allocations__v9.0__FINAL.xls ((“2013-14 DSG allocations” tab Row 6, 41 Column R)2011-12 & 2012-13: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130123124929/http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/settlement2013pupilpremium/a00200465/dedicated-schools-grant-and-pupil-premium-arrangements-for-2012-13 (“2012-13 DSG GUFs” file, “2012-13 GUFs” tab, Row 6, 42, Column C, D)Additionally, since 2011-12 schools have received the Pupil Premium which targets funding at pupils from the most deprived backgrounds to help them achieve their full potential. In 2011-12, the Premium was allocated for each pupil known to be eligible for Free School Meals, looked after children and children of parents in the armed services. In 2012-13 coverage was expanded to include pupils known to have been eligible for Free School Meals at any point in the last six years. The per pupil rates for each type of pupil are shown in following table in cash terms:Pupil Premium per pupil (£)2011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016-17Free School Meal Pupil Secondary£488£623£900£935£935£935Service Children£200£250£300£300£300£300Looked After Children£488£623£900£1900*£1900*£1900**Also includes children adopted from care.More information on Pupil Premium can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pupil-premium-information-for-schools-and-alternative-provision-settings

Schools: Birmingham

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what real-terms funding she has allocated to schools in Birmingham for each of the next five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Nationally we have protected the core schools budget in real terms to the end of the current Spending Review period, enabling a per-pupil protection for the dedicated schools grant so that the money available for our schools will increase as pupil numbers rise.The DSG allocations for Birmingham in 2016-17 are found in the table below:Birmingham DSG allocations 2016-172016-17 Schools Block Unit of Funding (SBUF) (£)2016-17 Schools Block (£million)5,218.42888.62Allocations for future years will be announced in due course.We believe that schools should be funded on a consistent and predictable basis, which is why we have proposed to introduce a National Funding Formula. The first stage of our two part consultation closed on 17 April and we are currently considering all the responses. We will be launching the second stage of the consultation, which will include illustrative allocations for all schools and local areas, later in the year.

Primary Education: Class Sizes

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in Key Stage 1 in (a) Ashfield constituency and (b) Nottinghamshire were taught in classes of more than (i) 30 or (ii) 35 in the academic year beginning September 2015.

Nick Gibb: Information about the number of pupils in Key Stage 1 classes with more than 30 pupils is available at school level in the underlying data of the ‘schools, pupils and their characteristics’ statistics.[1]In January 2016 there were 93 pupils in infant classes of more than 30 in schools in Ashfield constituency, and none in classes of more than 35.In Nottinghamshire local authority there were 975 pupils in infant classes of more than 30, and none in classes of more than 35.[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2016 - data is located in the ‘underlying data’ download within the file called ‘SFR20_2016_Schools_Classes_UD’

Primary Education: Class Sizes

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which primary schools in (a) Ashfield constituency and (b) Nottinghamshire were were full or over capacity in the academic year beginning September (i) 2014 and (ii) 2015.

Nick Gibb: The Department collects information from each local authority on the number of schools, the number of places in those schools and the number of pupils on roll through the annual School Capacity Survey (SCAP). The Department does not collect school capacity information at parliamentary constituency level. The data is published annually. Data relating to the position in the 2015/16 academic year will be collected over the coming months.Data for May 2015 (relating to academic year 2014/15) can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-capacity-academic-year-2014-to-2015The Department does not collect capacity information specifically relating to the position at September, nor does it collect information on over-subscription.

Ministry of Justice

Insurance: Fraud

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for insurance fraud in each of the last five years.

Mike Penning: This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Work Capability Assessment: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many work capability assessment appeals there were in Wales in the last three years.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The information requested is not held centrally.

Work Capability Assessment: Appeals

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average cost to the public purse was of an appeal hearing for a work capability assessment in the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The information requested is not held centrally.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Public Libraries

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will consider the proposal from contributors to the report entitled Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016 to 2021 to redefine what constitutes a comprehensive and efficient service under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Responses to the Leadership for Libraries Taskforce’s Ambition consultation are being carefully considered and the Ambition document will be published in due course. There are no plans to amend the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. The 1964 Act does not seek to be overly prescriptive in defining comprehensive and efficient, and it is a matter for local authorities to determine how to provide a public library service to their local community, within available resources. The ‘Libraries as a Statutory Service’ was published in December 2015 and contains information on the legislative framework for library services under the Act. This sets out the factors to which the Secretary of State gives consideration in response to complaints about whether a local authority is providing a comprehensive and efficient library service.

Public Libraries

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of the Local Government Association's recommendation within the report entitled Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016-2021, published on 23 March 2016, that library services should be included as part of the devolution deals for local authorities.

Mr Edward Vaizey: In its response to the consultation on the Leadership for Libraries Taskforce’s Ambition document, the Local Government Association supported the principle of library authorities working in partnership, collaborating and harnessing their potential for acting together when they want to do this. It is the responsibility for the relevant local authorities to explore and discuss the feasibility of including libraries as part of their devolution deals. DCMS will continue to work with the Libraries Taskforce to consider how we can support library authorities to engage with devolution discussions and share lessons learned with other local authorities.

British Telecom: Fees and Charges

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will investigate reports that BT is installing and charging for telephone lines for customers who have not requested one and who are only customers of fibre optic services.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Department’s understanding is that BT Openreach installs fibre and other services, ordered by communications providers for their customers. This includes fibre broadband services, most of which require a copper line to be installed in order to provide a telephone service. Assurance has been provided by BT that they would not provide a telephone service, or any other chargeable service, without the customer’s knowledge and authorisation. However, should this for any reason be the case, then consumers are advised to seek redress through the usual protections that are in place.

Broadband: Na h-eileanan an Iar

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many voucher codes have been issued to date to households in Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency under the national satellite broadband subsidy scheme; and what proportion of those codes has led to an order.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The total number of voucher codes issued in Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency under the Basic Broadband Scheme is 13 and this has led to five orders to date.

Broadband

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with his European counterparts on funding for the universal service obligation.

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has met with representatives of Vodafone to discuss the implications of the outcome of the EU referendum for the location of its headquarters in London.

Mr Edward Vaizey: I will be working closely with all of our sectors to make sure they have a voice as we now prepare for a negotiation to exit the EU.

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings he has had with mobile telephone providers on the implications of the outcome of the EU referendum for roaming charges; and what assessment he has made of whether roaming charges for UK citizens travelling in the EU will remain at their current level.

Mr Edward Vaizey: I will be working closely with all of our sectors to make sure they have a voice as we now prepare for a negotiation to exit the EU.Meanwhile, nothing changes - the UK remains a member of the EU and roaming charges will be abolished from 15 June 2017, in line with the Commission's timetable.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: EU Law

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department is making in respect of EU (a) Directives which are passed and not yet implemented and (b) Regulations which will be adopted before the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.It will be for the Government, under the new Prime Minister, to begin negotiations to exit the EU.

Digital Technology

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on implementation of the Digital Economy Act 2010.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Prime Minister has been clear that the negotiation for Britain's future relationship with Europe will need to begin under a new Prime Minister, and we have now got to look at all the detailed arrangements. In the meantime, Departments continue working to deliver the Government agenda.

Department for Work and Pensions

Work Capability Assessment

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the quality of work capability assessments.

Priti Patel: Strict audit and quality control measures are in place to ensure the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments delivers high-quality assessments.

Vacancies: Internet

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department's policy is on allowing unregistered charities to advertise vacancies on Universal Jobmatch.

Priti Patel: Universal Jobmatch is a self-service job posting service available to all employers. The service does not distinguish between registered or unregistered charities.

Vacancies: Internet

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many unregistered charities are registered and able to post vacancies on Universal Jobmatch.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not available.

Ministry of Defence

Veterans: Military Decorations

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans applied through his Department for the Legion d'Honneur in each month from July 2014 to June 2016.

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications for the Legion d'Honneur had been processed by the Personnel and Training, Defence Services Secretary, Commemorations department but had not yet been processed by the French authorities by 24 June 2016.

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the average time between veterans applying for the Legion d'Honneur and subsequently receiving the award.

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2016 to Question 38675, how many veterans who have applied for the Legion d'Honneur award are yet to receive that award.

Mark Lancaster: Following the answer I gave to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell) on 6 June 2016 to Question 38675, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has received approximately 5,200 applications for the Legion d'Honneur between June 2014 and June 2016. We are unable to provide a breakdown by month. As at 24 June the MOD had submitted 3,750 cases to the French authorities. We are not automatically advised when awards are issued, but a list provided by the French authorities on 13 May 2016 showed that 3,200 awards had been made.  It is not possible to give a meaningful figure for an average waiting time for veterans to receive their awards, as this has reduced steadily, from over a year for initial applications to the current time of around two to three months owing to changes in the processing. Some priority cases, particularly where there are health concerns, are processed much more quickly. The Department is working closely with the French authorities and we are doing our best to ensure that all awards are issued as soon as possible and at the maximum rate at which they can be produced. 



Veterans: Military Decorations
(Word Document, 14.36 KB)

Defence: Expenditure

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the projected increase in defence expenditure during the current Parliament his Department expects to spend on (a) equipment and (b) the maintenance of equipment.

Mr Philip Dunne: As a result of the increase in the Defence Budget following the Spending Round, the rigorous efficiency programme being pursued by the Ministry of Defence and the uplift from the Joint Security Fund, our planned spend on equipment acquisition and support has risen from £166 billion to £178 billion over the ten years of the forward programme. The annual breakdown of the Equipment Plan 2016 will be published in the autumn and will detail the expenditure over this Parliament.

Cluster Munitions

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information the Government holds on stockpiles of cluster munitions in countries other than the UK.

Mr Philip Dunne: At least 108 nations are signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely hold information on whether non-signatories possess cluster munitions and their stockpiles.

Saudi Arabia: Cluster Munitions

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK ground personnel based in Saudi Arabia have witnessed the (a) movement, (b) transport or (c) storage of cluster munitions in that country.

Michael Fallon: No.

Home Office

Animal Experiments

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in each year since 2005.

Mr John Hayes: Since 2005, there have been no prosecutions, and therefore no convictions, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Investigatory Powers Bill

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the potential costs of compliance with measures contained in the Investigatory Powers Bill to (a) the public purse and (b) private companies.

Mr John Hayes: The majority of the powers in the Investigatory Powers Bill already exist and will not incur additional costs. The Bill makes a new provision for the retention of additional data, known as internet connection records, by domestic Communications Service Providers who are under a data retention notice, to ensure that law enforcement continue to have the powers they need to acquire communications data as threats change and technology develops.The Government’s overall published estimate of the costs associated with the Investigatory Powers Bill is £247 million. This includes costs associated with increased compliance and authorisation of warrantry and costs to the justice system for offences and changes to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. These are set out in the Overarching Impact Assessment published on 4 November.

Investigatory Powers Bill

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Independent Review of the operational case for bulk powers, if she will make it her policy to establish a further review of, or extend the remit of that review to include, the proportionality of the powers contained in the Investigatory Powers Bill.

Mr John Hayes: The current review being conducted by David Anderson QC is specifically examining the operational case for the bulk powers in Parts 6 and 7 of the Investigatory Powers Bill. The review will not include a consideration of the safeguards that apply to these powers, and associated questions of proportionality, as that is rightly a matter for Parliament to consider as part of its scrutiny of the Bill.

Home Office: Procurement

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure that her Department's purchasing policies support British (a) industry and (b) agriculture.

Karen Bradley: The Department's purchasing policies support the Government’s commitment to do all it can to ensure UK suppliers can compete effectively for public sector contracts, in line with our current international obligations and guidance issued by the Crown Commercial Service.

Police: Helicopters

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of the potential closure of the Lancashire Police helicopter base on the safety of the local Fylde community.

Mike Penning: Since October 2012, the provision of police air support has been the responsibility of the National Police Air Service (NPAS), a police-led operational initiative designed to deliver a cost effective and efficient service to forces in England and Wales. It is the responsibility of the NPAS Strategic Board, comprising police and crime commissioners and chief constables, to make decisions on the deployment of resources to meet local policing and crime priorities.

HM Treasury

Taxation: Treaties

Steve McCabe: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department publishes on its process of reviewing and revising the UK's tax treaties  with other countries.

Steve McCabe: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria his Department uses to decide when and how to negotiate the UK's tax treaties with other countries.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have responsibility for negotiating the UK’s double taxation agreements, subject to oversight by HM Treasury. HMRC run a periodic consultation exercise to establish the negotiating priorities, which are then approved by ministers. As part of this exercise they consider representations made by UK businesses, non-governmental organisations and government departments, as well as the UK’s diplomatic missions throughout the world. The results of the last such review were published by HMRC on the gov.uk website in November 2015. Decisions on the negotiation or renegotiation of a tax treaty are taken on the basis of a range of factors including the results of HMRC’s periodic review of the tax treaty network, economic factors, the need to counter avoidance and evasion, and the role of treaties in promoting development. We also receive requests from countries to negotiate with us, and we will endeavour to accommodate them as time and negotiating resources permit. Given the number of treaties the UK already has, most of the programme will involve renegotiating existing agreements.

Housing Market

Andrew Rosindell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to ensure stability in the housing market and increase the confidence of property developers since the EU referendum of 23 June 2016.

Greg Hands: Ministers have met with house builders and industry leaders since the Referendum result to ensure stability. Britain’s economy is fundamentally strong. Markets have been volatile, but they have continued to function effectively. The Treasury, the Bank of England and the FCA are watching markets, including the housing market, extremely closely. Action by the government over the last seven years has substantially strengthened the resilience of the financial system. Capital requirements for the largest banks are now ten times higher than before the crisis. Yesterday (5th July) the Chancellor announced that the Bank of England will use the new powers given to them by Government to help boost the lending capacity of the banks to our economy. UK’s main lenders have agreed to make this extra capital available to support lending to UK businesses and households in this challenging time. Government remains committed to boosting housing supply, including by delivering the most ambitious affordable house building programme since the 1970’s.

Financial Institutions: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to encourage financial institutions to maintain their London operations and employment levels.

Harriett Baldwin: The Chancellor has met with financial institutions this week to discuss the impact of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union.Britain’s economy and financial system are fundamentally strong. Action by the government and the Bank of England over the last six years has substantially strengthened the resilience of the financial system, and the authorities have all the necessary tools in place to protect financial stability.The UK is a leading global financial centre serving not just Britain or Europe, but the entire world. It has natural strengths such as a central time zone and the English language, together with an unrivalled pool of firms and investors, supported by world leading legal and professional services. Major banks from across the globe have bases in the UK, and the UK has the fourth highest share of cross-border banking. It is also fast establishing itself as a global hub for renminbi, rupee, Islamic finance, green finance and FinTech business.Formal negotiations with the EU will not begin until the UK triggers Article 50. In the meantime, and during the negotiations that will follow, there will be no change to people’s rights to travel and work, and to the way our goods and services are traded, or to the way our economy and financial system is regulated.The government is committed to deepening relationships with new and established trade partners. Earlier this week the Chancellor laid out plans to build a highly competitive economy by targeting a corporation tax rate of less than 15%, focusing on a new push for investment from China, ensuring support for bank lending, redoubling efforts to invest in the Northern Powerhouse and maintaining the UK’s fiscal credibility.The government will also maintain an open and constructive dialogue with the UK financial services industry, including through the Financial Services Trade and Investment Board, which is tasked with boosting and promoting the UK’s financial services competitiveness position and supporting jobs. Government and industry collaboration will continue to play a central role in delivering a global, sustainable, innovative and competitive UK financial services industry that continues to go from strength to strength.

Taxation: Malawi

Deidre  Brock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the UK-Malawi tax treaty on work to alleviate poverty and support economic growth in Malawi.

Mr David Gauke: By governing the taxation of cross-border income flows in a predictable manner and eliminating double taxation and excessive taxation, tax treaties promote international trade and investment, leading to sustainable tax revenues, which are vital in financing development.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Department for Energy and Climate Change: Procurement

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will take steps to ensure that her Department's purchasing policies support British (a) industry and (b) agriculture.

Amber Rudd: The Department's purchasing policies support the Government’s commitment to do all it can to ensure UK suppliers can compete effectively for public sector contracts, in line with our current international obligations and guidance issued by the Crown Commercial Service.

Department of Energy and Climate Change: Pay

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, (a) how much has been paid to officials of her Department as an additional incentive for working overtime on top of their normal overtime payments, (b) how much has been offered to any individual staff member for a one-off occurrence, (c) how many staff received such incentivised additional payments, (d) from which budgets such payments were made and (e) at which Ministerial or official level the business cases or payment approval for such payments was made in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) 2016 to date.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not pay an additional incentive for working overtime in addition to normal overtime payments.

Cabinet Office

UK Withdrawal from EU

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government took before 23 June 2016 to prepare for a potential vote to leave the EU in the referendum.

Matthew Hancock: Holding answer received on 04 July 2016



As the Governor of the Bank of England and the Chancellor have confirmed UK authorities took action ahead of the referendum to mitigate risks to financial stability and market functioning in the event of a vote to leave. The Government's clear position was that the UK should remain a member of the European Union and the civil service worked in support of that in the run up to the referendum.

UK Withdrawal from EU

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 27 June 2016, Official Report, column 23, what steps the Government plans to take to ensure cross-party input at each stage of formulating national goals and strategy.

Mr Oliver Letwin: Decisions on the mechanisms for negotiating the future of the UK's relationship with the EU are a matter for the next Prime Minister and the next Cabinet. It is a matter for Parliament to decide what structures it uses for holding that Government to account as the negotiations move forward.It will also be important to ensure that the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom are protected and advanced.

Voluntary Work: Prizes

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to promote the Prime Minister's Points of Light awards; and how much was spent (a) overall and (b) on staff costs related to the distribution of those awards in each year since their launch.

Mr Rob Wilson: Holding answer received on 05 July 2016



The Point of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers, who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. It was set up in partnership with US Points of Light with the personal support of original founder, President George HW Bush and current US President Barack Obama. Since the UK launch in April 2014, the Prime Minister has recognised over 570 people from all over the United Kingdom for their remarkable service. Award winners receive a personal letter from the Prime Minister, a certificate, a tweet from the official PM account and where possible some local media coverage including the local MP, regardless of political party.Points of Light are also connected with each other to share best practice and increasingly work together to have even greater impact in our communities. The costs of the award are minimal but not held centrally.

West Cumberland Hospital: Childbirth

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many births there were at West Cumberland Hospital in each of the last six years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter for Member - Birth Rate
(PDF Document, 110.53 KB)

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Air Pollution

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on regulation relating to air quality.

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the food and drink industry.

George Eustice: Until we leave the EU, current arrangements for farming, food and drink and our environment remain in place. Defra will continue to ensure the right policies are in place for a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. It is also vital that British farming is profitable and remains competitive – it is the bedrock of the food and drink industry, Britain’s largest manufacturing sector. The priorities for negotiating our exit from the EU will be a matter for the new Prime Minister and their Cabinet.

Animal Products: Imports

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 June 2016 to Question 40996, what statistics the Government collects on the number of hunting trophies from endangered or threatened species which are brought in to the UK; and how the Government defines the sustainable hunting of such species.

Rory Stewart: The UK Management Authority (UKMA), which administers the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), holds data on imports of hunting trophies into the UK from outside the EU of the most endangered species listed on Annex A of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations and for six less endangered Annex B species which are subject to stricter controls. As part of the application process for an import permit, the UKMA must consider whether the import would be harmful to the conservation of the species or on the extent of the territory it occupies. This is called a ‘non-detriment finding’. For animal imports, this determination is made by our scientific advisors, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which considers any opinions of the EU’s group of scientific experts in CITES, the Scientific Review Group, and examines available data, taking into account a wide range of factors including the biological status of the species, management programmes in place and trade levels. Information on how a non-detriment finding is made can be found in CITES Conference Resolution 16.7 (https://cites.org/eng/res/16/16-07.php) and the reference guide to the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/legis_refguide_en.htm).

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: UK Withdrawal from EU

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on (a) air pollution, (b) water pollution, (c) protection of species and habitats and (d) waste management.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on food standards and food safety.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on British fisheries.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on rural payments.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on employment in the food manufacturing and farming sector.

George Eustice: Until we leave the EU, current arrangements for farming, fisheries, food and drink and our environment remain in place. Defra will continue to ensure the right policies are in place for a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. It is also vital that British farming is profitable and remains competitive – it is the bedrock of the food and drink industry, Britain’s largest manufacturing sector. The priorities for negotiating our exit from the EU will be a matter for the new Prime Minister and their Cabinet.

Fisheries: Finance

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on fishery funding.

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on fishing quotas.

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on movement of animals across international borders.

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on biodiversity.

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on subsidies to farmers.

George Eustice: Until we leave the EU, current arrangements for farming, fisheries, animal health and welfare and our environment remain in place. Defra will continue to ensure the right policies are in place for a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. It is also vital that British farming is profitable and remains competitive – it is the bedrock of the food and drink industry, Britain’s largest manufacturing sector. The priorities for negotiating our exit from the EU will be a matter for the new Prime Minister and their Cabinet.

Department of Health

Benzodiazepines

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prescriptions of individual benzodiazepine drugs were dispensed in 2015.

Alistair Burt: Information is given in the tables below. Table 1: Number of benzodiazepine prescription items written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England in 2015, as classified as hypnotics and anxiolytics in British National Formulary (BNF) Section 4.1BNF chemical namePrescription items (000s)Alprazolam- 1Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride90.6Diazepam5,324.1Flurazepam Hydrochloride- 1Loprazolam Mesilate50.9Lorazepam1,090.4Lormetazepam28.1Nitrazepam663.9Oxazepam113.7Temazepam1,423.5Total28,785.2Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system data provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre1 Less than 50 prescription items dispensed.2 Total figure may not sum due to rounding Table 2: Number of benzodiazepine prescription items written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England in 2015, as classified as antiepileptic drugs in BNF Section 4.8BNF chemical namePrescription items (000s)Clobazam267.5Clonazepam1892.7Clonazepam20.1Midazolam Hydrochloride48.6Midazolam Maleate21.6Total 31,230.5Source: PCA system data provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre1 From BNF 4.8.1 Control of the epilepsies2 From BNF 4.8.2 Drugs used in status epilepticus3 Total figure may not sum due to rounding Table 3: Number of benzodiazepine prescription items written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England in 2015, as classified as anaesthesia drugs in BNF Section 15.1.4BNF chemical namePrescription items (000s)Midazolam Hydrochloride166.5Total166.5Source: PCA system data provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre

Brain: Tumours

James Cartlidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Life Sciences of 18 April 2016, Official Report, column 262WH, what progress he has made in convening a task and finish working group for brain tumour research; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: The Department of Health Task and Finish Working Group on Brain Tumour Research is bringing together clinicians, charities and officials to discuss how, working together with research funding partners, we can address the need to increase the level and impact of research into this devastating disease. The Working Group will be chaired by Professor Chris Whitty, the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser, and will report directly to me. I anticipate that the Working Group will need to meet in person three times before completing its tasks by September 2017.

West Cumberland Hospital

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when his Department plans to release the funding for Phase 2 of the redevelopment of the West Cumberland Hospital.

George Freeman: This is a matter for the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. The Trust provided an update on progress in relation to delivery of Phase 2 of the re-development of West Cumberland Hospital in a press release issued in June 2015: http://www.ncuh.nhs.uk/news/2015/june/trust-planning-next-phase-of-west-cumberland-hospital-redevelopment.aspx NHS Improvement advises that the Trust is continuing work to identify options that will enable it to progress Phase 2 of the development.

NHS Professionals

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the (a) full or (b) part privatisation of NHS Professionals; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: Currently NHS Professionals Ltd works with around a third of National Health Service trusts, saving over £40 million a year by providing bank staff cheaper than agencies. The Department's sole objective is to expand this good work into more trusts, thus boosting efficiency and improving patient care. The Department has been exploring a range of potential options, to help NHS Professionals drive further value for the NHS, and enable NHS Professionals to become more agile and flexible to meet the needs of the NHS. No final decisions have yet been made by Ministers about the future of NHS Professionals.

Prostate Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with clinical bodies on the use of seed brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer.

Jane Ellison: No such discussions have taken place between Ministers of the Department and clinical bodies. Brachytherapy is the delivery of radiotherapy using sealed sources (sometimes described as seeds) which are placed close to the site that is to be treated. Prostate cancer: diagnosis and management, updated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2014, sets out a range of treatment options for prostate cancer, including brachytherapy. The guidance can be found at the following link: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg175/resources/prostate-cancer-diagnosis-and-management-35109753913285 NHS England commissions radiotherapy treatment, including brachytherapy, nationally, as part of its remit to deliver specialised services. NHS England’s Brachytherapy and Molecular Radiotherapy service specification sets out what providers must have in place in order to offer high quality treatment and care for these specialised forms of radiotherapy. The specification can be found at the following link: www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b01-brachytpy-molecular-radio.pdf

Diarrhoea

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of Travellers' diarrhoea there have been in each of the last five years; and what steps his Department is taking to advise people travelling about potential medications for that condition.

Jane Ellison: Diarrhoea can be caused by a number of organisms, viruses, bacteria and protozoa and in up to 40% of cases, the causative organism is not identified. It is therefore usual to report a basket of organisms of specific concern. Salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, giardia and cryptosporidium are the main causes of gastrointestinal (GI) illness in travellers. These infections can sometimes be caught during travel abroad and known as traveller’s diarrhoea (TD). Public Health England does not hold data on TD caused by viruses as viral GI illness is usually short lived and commonly resolved at home therefore no testing is carried out. Travellers seeking advice on the management of TD are directed to the National Travel Health Network and Centre website. This is available free of charge to all travellers and each country page has general information including a link to food and water hygiene advice for all travellers to that country.

Obesity: Surgery

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to (a) support the provision of and (b) increase the uptake of weight-loss surgery.

George Freeman: It is for clinicians to decide when bariatric surgery is appropriate based on the need of the patient and in line with appropriate guidance, including that issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Obesity: Surgery

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with clinical bodies on the potential merits of weight-loss surgery in preventing diabetes.

Jane Ellison: There have been no such discussions.

Blood: Contamination

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when his Department received the request from the Scottish Government to allow increased payments to Scottish people affected by contaminated blood through the current financial structures.

Jane Ellison: Since the Scottish Government announced its decision to accept the recommendations of its independent financial review in March 2016, officials in the Department and Scottish Government have been working together to facilitate the increased payments using the current payment scheme. There have, in addition, been recent conversations at Ministerial level.

Paediatrics: Audiology

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many paediatric audiology services have registered for the Improving Quality in Physiological Services accreditation scheme to date.

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many paediatric audiology services have (a) been allocated a date and are awaiting an assessment visit by UKAS inspectors under the Improving Quality in Physiological Services accreditation scheme and (b) failed to gain accreditation after their initial assessment visit, since the accreditation began in 2012.

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many paediatric audiology services have reached the level required, using the Self-Assessment and Improvement Tool, to be eligible to apply for accreditation under the Improving Quality in Physiological Services scheme.

Alistair Burt: As of July 2016, 74 services are currently registered – covering all stages of gaining and holding Improving Quality in Physiological Services accreditation. NHS England does not hold information on the number of services that have been allocated a date and are awaiting an assessment visit by United Kingdom Accreditation Service assessors, or the number of services that failed to gain accreditation after their initial assessment. NHS England does not hold information on how many paediatric audiology services have reached the level required, using the Self-Assessment and Improvement Tool, to be eligible to apply for Improving Quality in Physiological Services accreditation.

Choice in End of Life Care Review

Dr Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on the Government's response to the Choice Review; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer: The Government Response to the Review of Choice in End of Life Care was published on 5 July 2016. The Response sets out a commitment for end of life care to ensure high quality, personalised care for everyone at the end of life and details the actions that the Government and the health and care system will be taking to deliver this.

West Cumberland Hospital: Maternity Services

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has visited the maternity department at the West Cumberland Hospital.

Ben Gummer: The Secretary of State for Health and his Ministerial team have not undertaken any visits in an official capacity to the maternity department at the West Cumberland Hospital. I am currently planning to visit the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust in the coming months.

West Cumberland Hospital: Maternity Services

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Cumbria Success Regime on consultant-led maternity services at the West Cumberland Hospital.

Ben Gummer: I lead the Department’s engagement with Success Regime areas. I have had multiple discussions with the West, North and East Cumbria Success Regime leadership since the start of the programme in summer 2015. These discussions have covered all aspects of the programme, including the services provided at West Cumberland Hospital.

Women and Equalities

LGBT People: Conditions of Employment

David Mackintosh: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent steps she has taken to promote LGBT rights in the workplace.

Caroline Dinenage: Improving LGB&T people’s experience at work is a key priority for this government. The Equality Act 2010 provides one of the world’s strongest legislative frameworks to prevent and tackle discrimination, harassment and victimisation in employment, including because of sexual orientation and gender reassignment.We also fund the Equality Advisory & Support Service, which provides free information, advice and support on equality and human rights issues to LGB&T people and others who may have been discriminated against at work.In addition, we recently published guidance for employers on the recruitment and retention of transgender employees. The guidance contains practical advice, suggestions and ideas to help improve knowledge and understanding about transgender issues in the workplace, and helps employers comply with the law.We will continue to engage with LGB&T organisations, employers, trade unions and individuals to understand and address the challenges for LGB&T people in the workplace.